[locked to christinechapel]

[vulcancommander]

All of New Orleans was buzzing about it. It was in the papers, on the television, and on the radio. Spock didn't understand - of course he didn't, since he was an alien after all - but he did pay close attention to all announcements of it.


They called it the Fourth of July. Apparently it was a historical celebration about the founders of the nation creating a document that declared their independence from Great Britain. Christine had mentioned of taking him down to the French Quarter to watch the fireworks - fireworks? Those sounded dangerous - and maybe share some of the food they had down there. He was a little excited to experience so when the day rolled around, he made sure to dress comfortably (He liked heat, but not this humid heat) and headed out with her.

A short ride to the French Quarter and they stayed close together amongst the Humans. He seemed to be the only Vulcan there, but he didn't mind much. Spock was accustomed to being stared at when he was first brought to Earth. They weren't going to stay all night, as the French Quarter didn't allow people to sleep there overnight and all the hotels in the area had been booked. Apparently this event was bigger than Spock was giving it credit for.

"I understand this big event for your country, but I do not understand why signing document must involve something dangerous sounding like fireworks." Spock told her, spreading out the blanket they had brought along. They had managed to snag a good tree, that would shade them from the sun to the West but give them a good look of the Eastern sky, where the fireworks would be going off at. "You are certain this is safe event, correct?"

Comments

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

The day was really any other to Christine. She understood the importance of the holiday, but this was the first one she had off since she was a child. It was still new to her, relearning and refeeling all these emotions.

Sitting down, she adjusted the hat she wore so it didn't obscure her vision from her position. Chris busied herself with trying to find a comfortable spot until she paused, looking up at him over his question.

"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. It took a few seconds before it hit her. "The fireworks are placed a safe distance away. They won't come anywhere near us to pose a threat and the guys working on it take safety precautions." Chewing on her lip, she looked towards the direction of the event, then back at him. "When the Declaration of Independence was signed, it was a novel concept. Not only did we declare ourselves free of a country, but we declared that we were free of a sovereignty. It was the birth of our nation," she paused to shrug, smiling a little. "Think of the fireworks like candles on a cake."

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

Satisfied with the placement of the blanket, Spock moved over to have a seat next to her, sitting back on his legs in the same style as his meditating stance. He had been able to do that more often now, which helped him back to his Vulcan ways. Usually he just kept up the facade in front of the servants and family in the house, but behind closed doors with Christine, he allowed small smiles and gestures of affection.

"Ah, I understand now. They will not harm us then?" At least they were safe. He didn't want anything like that hitting her beautiful hair and singing it! When she explained why the holiday was important, he listened intently, taking in the information. "Oh, that makes sense. So this holiday is birthday of nation. I understand. It does not get present though, correct?"

Apparently he needed to work on his humor a little.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

"They are completely safe, at least to us. Occasionally there are accidents with the operators, but it's a risk they take and the risks are very low."

Spock's innocence in human customs was amusing. Chris let out a small giggle, shaking her head. "No, the present it receives is how we take care of it the rest of the year."

Still amused at his comment, she leans back, letting her arms hold her up as she looked around. It was a nice sized crowd, but then again they were in New Orleans. Any chance the people got to drink heavily was a chance to get to the city. "Just sit back and enjoy the show when it starts. It'll be loud, but you'll get used to it. The color usually makes up for it."

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

"Oh, okay." He lifted a hand to run through her hair as she settled back to have a look at the gathering crowd. Apparently this was a popular area for firework watching.

"That makes sense." He remembered seeing politicians on the news channels that he watched while she was gone at work. Most talked about rebellions rising in the northern states against the enslavement of Vulcans, and Spock was glad he and Christine - and Kirk - didn't live up there right now. Maybe things would fall into the Vulcans' favor and he'd be free wherever he would roam at.

"Loud?" He looked a little off put, almost scared. "Much like thunder during storms?" He didn't get a chance to wait for her answer as a green one snapped and popped into the sky. Spock jerked and laid to the ground immediately, hands moving over his ears. That was no thunder, it sounded like they were being attacked!

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Chris knew him well enough to know that maybe she should have warned him about this earlier, but he wouldn't have come then. She wanted him to enjoy it and have a good time. He might not show it, but she knew he worried.

The first one went, but her attention was drawn away as she sat up, scooting herself closer to him. "Spock? Hey, it's okay," she soothed , a hand moving in a calming touch against him, through the roar of another one exploding and some people in the crowd cheering. "Just watch it, it's pretty."

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

She was right, he wouldn't have come, not if he had known. Spock would've been content watching it from the house rather than up this close. Even though...it wasn't really that close. But his ears were sensitive and the noises were amplified and it sucked.

The calming touch was cool against his skin, and sent soothing feelings to his mind. It eased him, and after the third one of spiked gold and purple, he looked up at her, eyes a little wide and then up to the fireworks dotting the sky like moving stars. If he kept his ears covered with his hands, it wasn't so bad. He could still hear her, through his ears and the bond.

'I am sorry...noise just frightened me. It sounded like we were be attacked!' He thought to her, moving to sit up slowly and shakily. 'I was not expecting it to be loud like this.'

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Chris smiled, trying to be as reassuring as possible. "It's fine, I had an idea that you'd be startled," she hadn't quite mastered the telepathic talking yet, but she was getting better at reading his emotions. That didn't mean she wouldn't down play it, though. Fear was made worse when acted upon in an excited way.

She leaned back to give him room to situate himself, turning to look back at the sky when he did. "Isn't it beautiful? To think that they spend months trying out different color combinations and shapes."

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

"It is very beautiful." He murmured, sitting up all the way at last. Gradually his hands moved away from his ears, the explosions slowly not phasing him anymore. He did, however, scoot close to her side, feeling secure and comforted with her closeness as fireworks continued to burst overhead.

A couple of them made him shrink a little behind her until he finally gave up and moved to pull her in his lap - making sure she still had a view of course - and resting his head in her shoulder. Spock's arms wiggled around her waist while he purred hummed a little. It was a little distraction and kept his mind off of the noise. He was such a coward against loud noises.

"It is considered form of art? To do such things?"

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Chris fit easily into his lap, used to the way they'd sit at home. She was absorbed in watching the fireworks, she really liked them. They were exciting and she had good memories associated with them.

Sighing a little contentedly, she leaned back against him. "Yes, it is. There are a lot of mechanics behind it, more than I know. But it's an art, non the less."

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

Spock watched the fireworks with her, ducking his face into her sweet smelling hair. He could feel her bit of excitement mixed with happiness and that's what really put him at ease. Any good mate would do well to keep their significant other happy, and just because Christine was Human didn't mean she was an exception to that sort of thinking. He was satisfied that this was making her happy, even if it was just for a little bit.

"It is...mechanical art then." He piped up, pressing a kiss to her jaw that he could reach. "Very beautiful and I am glad you bring me here."

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, mechanical art," she agreed, watching a few colors in the sky. "Once it quiets down we can go, but it's just not as great to see it on the television."

((Sorry, she's not too chatty, but I'm trying to bring her out. ;3 ))

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

Spock leaned hie head against hers, the blond hairs tickling his brow and nose a little, but not bothering him too much. With his arms wrapped around her midsection, he could faintly feel her heartbeat, which lulled him into a calmer frame of mind as he watched.

"I see, I would like much more if not so loud. Next year maybe bring plugs for ears?" He suggested, wondering if it would be easy to get earplugs.

((You know it's okay with me. If she doesn't want to come out tonight/tomorrow, that's okay. c: ))

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Chris laughed, rolling her eyes. "Ear plugs, alright. I don't see why not, if we come back next year." She'd just been watching it on TV, if she even had time to stop and appreciate it. Her hand slid down his to cover it, the fingers playing against his as they sat.

[vulcancommander.livejournal.com]

"I tell you this often, but I am still very happy we have become together." He said quietly, but knew that with his breath close to her ear, she'd probably hear it. "You have taught me many things, and I am so..." He paused, trying to find the right word. "...Appreciate."